Overview
Mount Kenya National Park is classified by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) as a Mountain Park, with its own conservation fee category.
The current fee structure — effective October 1, 2025, under the new KWS Conservation Fee Regulations (2025–2026) — standardizes access costs for East African Citizens, Kenya Residents, African Citizens, and Non-Residents.
All tickets are issued electronically via the eCitizen platform, and are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry.
🏔️ KWS Conservation Fees for Mount Kenya National Park (Effective Oct 1 2025)
| Visitor Category | Adult (Per Day) | Child / Student (Per Day) | Currency / Payment Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen | KES 800 | KES 400 | Kenyan Shillings |
| Kenya Resident | KES 1,100 | KES 550 | Kenyan Shillings |
| African Citizen (Non-EAC) | USD 30 | USD 15 | US Dollars |
| Non-Resident | USD 70 | USD 35 | US Dollars |
Notes:
- The daily fee covers a continuous 24-hour period.
- Children ≤ 5 years, persons with disabilities, and Kenyan citizens ≥ 70 years are exempt.
- Fees apply on re-entry after 24 hours.
- Tickets are non-transferable.
🧗 Climbing & Technical Permits
Visitors ascending Point Lenana, Batian, or Nelion require a climbing permit in addition to the conservation fee.
| Permit Type | Rate (per person per day) |
|---|---|
| Technical Climbing (Batian/Nelion) | USD 30 (non-resident) / KES 4,500 (resident) |
| Trekking to Point Lenana | Included in daily park entry fee |
| Filming / Photography (commercial) | USD 200–500 per week depending on crew size |
Climbing permits are obtained together with park entry at the relevant gate (Sirimon, Naro Moru, Chogoria) or through your licensed tour operator.
🚗 Vehicle Entry Charges (Per Day)
| Vehicle Type | Fee (KES) |
|---|---|
| Private car (< 6 seats) | 600 |
| 6 – 12 seats minivan | 1,500 |
| 13 – 24 seats minibus | 3,000 |
| 25 – 44 seats bus | 4,500 |
| 45 seats and above | 5,000 |
| Truck (1–3 tons) | 1,000 |
| Truck (4–7 tons) | 2,250 |
| Truck (> 7 tons) | 3,250 |
| Motorcycle | 500 |
| Helicopter landing inside Mt Kenya Park | USD 300 per landing |
All vehicles must be registered at the gate; off-road driving is strictly prohibited except under KWS authorization.
⛺ Camping and Accommodation Fees
Public Campsites
| Visitor Category | Adult | Child/Student |
|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen | KES 200 | KES 150 |
| Kenya Resident | KES 300 | KES 200 |
| Non-Resident | USD 20 | USD 15 |
| African Citizen | USD 10 | USD 8 |
Special Campsites
| Visitor Category | Adult | Child/Student |
|---|---|---|
| East African Citizen | KES 250 | KES 200 |
| Kenya Resident | KES 350 | KES 250 |
| Non-Resident | USD 35 | USD 20 |
| African Citizen | USD 20 | USD 10 |
Special Campsite Reservation Fee: KES 10,000 per week (non-refundable)
Rules:
- Camping is only allowed in designated sites (e.g., Met Station, Shipton’s Camp, Hall Tarns, Mintos, Lake Ellis).
- Fires prohibited above forest line.
- Carry out all non-biodegradable waste.
- Rangers may inspect permits at any time.
🎓 Student and Group Rates
Students (below 23 years, visiting under an accredited institution):
- Pay the child rate upon presentation of a valid school ID and institution letter.
- Visits must be pre-arranged and supervised by teachers/lecturers.
Organized Groups & MICE (Conferences/Events):
| Group Size | Discount on Applicable Entry Fee |
|---|---|
| 10 – 29 persons | 5 % |
| 30 – 49 persons | 10 % |
| 50 – 99 persons | 20 % |
| 100 and above | 30 % |
Prior booking through KWS Head Office is mandatory for group discounts.
🎥 Filming and Photography Permits
For commercial productions or professional shoots inside Mount Kenya National Park:
| Crew Size | Weekly Fee | Currency |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – 5 people | KES 16,000 (≈ USD 200) | |
| 6 – 10 people | KES 24,000 (≈ USD 350) | |
| 11 + crew | KES 40,000 (≈ USD 500) |
Additional Requirements:
- Written application to KWS Corporate Communications or Regional Warden.
- Approval of activity and ecological impact assessment (if drone or vehicle use involved).
- Drone permits: KES 5,000 (EAC citizen) or USD 300 (non-resident) per day per park + KCAA license.
- 20 % environmental restoration surcharge applies to commercial filming.
Photography for personal use is free; tripod setups at ranger posts are allowed without charge.
💳 Park Entry Permits & eCitizen Booking Process
- Visit [ eCitizen.go.ke ] and select Kenya Wildlife Service – Park Entry.
- Choose Mount Kenya National Park, your entry gate (Sirimon, Naro Moru, Chogoria, Kamweti or Timau), and the dates of visit.
- Select visitor category (Citizen, Resident, Non-Resident).
- Add camping and vehicle options if applicable.
- Make secure payment via card, mobile money, or bank transfer.
- Download the digital ticket with QR code — this must be presented at the gate.
Tickets are valid for 24 hours per the “Daily Fee” rule.
Re-entries after that period require a new purchase.
🔁 Refund and Cancellation Policy
- Tickets are non-refundable once validated.
- Cancellation before entry (confirmed via email within 48 hours of purchase) may qualify for partial refund at KWS discretion.
- Special Campsite reservation fees (KES 10,000) are strictly non-refundable.
- Park closures due to weather or emergency may be rescheduled with no extra charge (subject to written approval).
⏰ The 24-Hour Rule & Ticket Validation
Each entry fee grants 24 hours of access counted from the time of validation at the gate.
- Visitors staying overnight inside the park (e.g., camping or hut use) must renew tickets for each 24-hour cycle.
- KWS rangers scan QR codes at entry and exit.
- If you exit after the valid period, you will be charged for an additional day.
- Multiple entries via different gates (e.g., Sirimon to Chogoria traverse) are allowed if indicated on the initial ticket — inform rangers at the gate when checking in.
🪪 Annual Passes (Valid for Kenyan Residents & Citizens)
| Pass Type | Annual Fee (KES) |
|---|---|
| Adult Annual Pass | 45,000 |
| Child Annual Pass | 10,400 |
| Couple’s Annual Pass | 80,000 |
| Family Pass (2 adults + up to 5 children) | 130,000 |
| Corporate Pass | 120,000 |
These allow unlimited entry into KWS-managed parks for one year (excluding special activities like climbing or filming).
📸 Other Permits and Special Fees
- Night Game Drive (Authorized parks only): USD 50 / KES 3,000 per person per trip.
- Helicopter Tourism: USD 100 (≤ 2 hours within park airspace).
- Educational Lecture by Warden: KES 3,000 / USD 30 per group.
- Participation in wildlife management experience: KES 20,000 / USD 200 per person per day.
⚖️ Exemptions and Concessions
Under Regulation 5 of the KWS Fee Schedule (2025):
- Children under 5 years, persons with disabilities, and Kenyan citizens aged 70 and above are fully exempt from conservation fees.
- Registered tour drivers, guides, porters, and boat crew licensed by the Tourism Regulatory Authority are exempt while on duty.
- Beach Management Units engaged in subsistence fishing are exempt from boat anchoring fees.
🧭 Practical Visitor Tips
- Purchase eCitizen tickets before travel to avoid delays at gates.
- Carry official ID or passport matching the ticket details.
- Save offline copies of QR tickets in case of network failure.
- Check validity time on your ticket — renew daily if camping multiple nights.
- Consult KWS offices (Naro Moru or Nanyuki) for group rates, academic visits, and special events.
🌍 In Summary
The 2025 KWS fee structure introduces greater clarity and equity while ensuring sustainable funding for park management.
Mount Kenya’s entry fees remain moderate relative to its global significance, and the digital eCitizen system has simplified access for both local and international visitors.
By understanding the fee categories, validity rules, and permit requirements, climbers and travelers can plan efficiently — helping KWS protect one of Africa’s most iconic mountain ecosystems for future generations.